After experiencing critical moments with the presence of thousands of Cuban, Haitian and African migrants in the country, the situation is now totally under control. Currently, there are just over 100 people at the Guanacaste La Cruz Care Center.
According to government data, a maximum of 50 people are entering the country per week. They have 25 days to leave Costa Rica, according to the current immigration process.
Since December there has been a significant reduction in the arrival of migrants, which has been maintained until now. At some point, there were up to 100 people a day,”
said Mauricio Herrera, Minister of Communications.
More than 20,000 Haitian and extra-continental migrants have passed through Costa Rica, adding up to the 8,000 Cubans who arrived in the country between November 2015 and March 2016.
But what lies behind the reduction? The Government has no official information on the matter, according to Herrera.
There are two factors that may be affecting: one is winter in the United States, which makes those who want to reach that country decide to wait for the season to change, and the other is the change in the regulations for migrants in the North American territory.
The country is still prepared to face this increase in migratory flows. One of the most important lessons is that the country provides humanitarian assistance to the people who are migrating,”
said the Minister of Communication.